On Negativity
The best way of removing negativity is to laugh and be joyous. - David Icke
People who project negativity typically have low self-esteem. They feel badly about themselves, and their negativity is simply a reflection of those feelings. - Hendrie Weisinger
People deal too much with the negative, with what is wrong. Why not try and see positive things, to just touch those things and make them bloom? - ThÃch Nhat Hanh
posted by A Secular Franciscan | 11:54 AM
5 Comments:
and what of people who stereotype and label? Most people have a lot more going on in their lives than anyone else knows about to be labelled as a "negative person". What if all you knew of Chesterton was the book Heretics?
Ben - is such an accusation something you've had to deal with?
I know I have to contend in my own life with being too negative at times (the reason I posted this).
Lee, it absolutely is. I would say that a false fear of negativity and perceived impoliteness is our society's #1 problem. There are times when we must speak up and tell the truth. When we do so, we should be confident that we are doing the right thing (assuming we have prayed and meditated prior to action). If others perceive it as negative, then so be it. Have you read Lewis' "The Problem of Pain"? It's not a book on false kindness, but he happens to talk about it a good deal. I quoted it randomly in a few different posts. I'd highly recommend it:
http://cleansingfiredor.com/2011/03/st-patrick-and-more/
http://cleansingfiredor.com/2011/03/ecumenical-and-interfaith-dialogue-we-have-much-to-celebrate/
http://cleansingfiredor.com/2011/03/lewis-on-the-welfare-state/
I have read it - I'm a big fan of Lewis.
The issue for me is not pointing out what is wrong when correction is in order, it's focusing too much on negativity, or offering those criticisms in a heavy-handed, sarcastic way - of which I am too often guilty.
got it, Lee. I hear what you're saying. I've been really liking turning to readings on the Saints or Sacred Scripture in such times.
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